1996 960 276K mi. My battery is as old as the auto. I have had no problems with starting hot or cold; but I feel that ten years on a battery is asking way too much. (I have always assumed that three to five years on a battery was the norm) I have researched and found through Consumer Reports that NAPA has the current best battery (cranking amps, longevity, etc.), followed by AUTO ZONE. I am thinking of purchasing the NAPA battery. Just a couple of questions.
01.
should I change the battery, or wait for some sign of failure.

02. if I do change the battery should I purchase another Volvo battery.

03.if I do change the battery, are there precautions to take: get the codes, take off the negative wire first...etc.

04. who makes Volvo batteries? My 93 940 has only had the battery changed once--and not because it failed but because after seven years I felt it was due. Now its battery is some six-seven odd years old...and still going strong.

Any comments would be most welcome and appreciated.

I had been using DELCO batteries because they were recommended by a neighbor of mine that was manager of the phone company fleet here in CT. he said he liked them because the case design was superior and they did not leak. I just replaced the battery in my Bugeye that I bought in 1992 a few months ago and it never leaked and 14 years service is unbelievable, even for a lightly-used car. The super phone company backup power batteries are probably the best lead acid batteries made (not for automotive) and they have a 10 year rated life.

Unfortunately things have changed with the collapse of Delco and I understand they have had problems with terminals breaking and overall quality. Plus the name is defunct so it is a different brand now.

I would not pay a premium for a Volvo-branded battery. Volvo does not make them and there is no secret in making batteries. if you want something really rugged you can always look for a battery company that supplies emergency vehicles. There is a company here in CT that still makes and rebuilds batteries (production moved to Quebec)for heavy-duty requirements but I think this is overkill for a passenger vehicle.

Bob in CT

I just bought a 97 960 (first sold in 96) and the original Volvo battery is fine, even though the car wasn't driven for a few months due to a blown engine.
My advice is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
If you are really worried about getting stranded somewhere and IF you can find another Volvo battery to replace it, then go ahead.
If you put in a generic replacement battery, you will be lucky to get 5 years out of it!

That is impressive!

7 years ago when I got my car the Volvo battery was essentually dead from several insults. Bad crimp on alternator wire lug, a broken headlight wiper motor that ran all the time & a low voltage from the regulator. I fixed those issues and installed a Volvo branded made in the US battery.

It just quit this week with what I diagnosed as a short in one of the cells. I wanted an Optima battery but no one near-by had one and I needed it NOW. Got another Volvo branded one from the dealer and the price was only up $10 from last time. If I get another 7 years from this one I'll be happy.
--
'96 965, 16' wheels, Michelin Pilot Sports, rear 18mm bar + Koni, 201 HP cams, 136K. Put 200K on '85 745 TD.

I agree with the others.......it will fail, and it will fail at an inconvenient time (as per Murphy). Raining, Snowing, at night when you need to be somewhere. I would change it out in the fall.

Some Volvo dealers carry VOLVO brand batteries, others do not. I bought a VOLVO brand battery from a dealer when I lived in CA about 6-7 years ago. I now live in a small town in rural CO and we just got a Volvo dealer in town about 2 years ago. They carry Interstate batteries. The Volvo brand battery I bought wasn't too bad as far as cost goes, but that was several years ago.

I don't know who makes them. I like them because you can add water to them when needed fairly easily.

Just remember you radio code, most often found on the inside of the owners manual and your good to go.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 077,400 and 1995 964 154,100

Dear Christopher,

May this find you well. Ten years is an awesome run for a battery. I agree with advice given: replace before winter's onset, if that means cold weather.

Whenever the battery is disconnected, the radio's security system is triggered. A four-digit code must be keyed-in, before the radio will work. That code should be on a card, with the owner's manual. If it is missing, call a Volvo dealer's service department, provide the VIN, and they should be able to give you the code.

Disconnecting the battery will cause the "learned" settins in the Engine Control Module to be lost. The car will again have "to learn" your driving pattern. Thus, if it doesn't drive quite right after the battery change, be patient: things will soon be back to normal.

I recently put in a Wal-Mart battery, so I've not used it enough to be able to comment on its durability.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

spook

All you need to keep all this information alive in the computer is a 9 volt battery and jumper wires to the terminals. Its not rocket science.

Dear Paulii,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. Re: 9-volt battery - great idea!

If I need to power-down for SRS-related work, am I right to think that 9-volt battery will not keep charged any capacitors?

Yours faithfully,

spook

Never have a battery source when doing Air bag work. I have had only one blow in my face and that was from just static. I thought it broke my nose. I only use the 9 volt battery when I don't have customers code or a drivability problem and I want to keep drivetime cycles when I replace a battery. I also have a 9 volt that plugs into the cigar lighter, but as you know it will not work in a volvo unless you have the key on. I prefer not to have a key on, so I just jump the terminals. Keep up the good work Spook!

Ten years on one battery is impressive. I also used one battery for ten years and it was running fine. Then one very cold and snowy morning, it simply died.

I'd replace it for sure before it gets cold (if it does in your area during the winter). I've used Interstate batteries for some time, but Consumer Reports didn't rate them as highly as others; I think you and I saw the same article.

I'm not sure who makes batteries for Volvo; somebody else on the Board could help you with that info. Same with what to do with your car before disconnecting the battery. My 1984 240 doesn't have any computers that are affected by battery disconnection.

Good luck.
--
Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 261,000 miles
Original engine, transmission, drive train, alternator, starter
Undergoing reconstructive surgery with POR-15

For the Swedish market i think Volvo used Tudor batteries ( www.tudor.se )
Don't know if the export cars used the same.
They are not exceptionally good in my opinion, but not really bad either. I replaced the original battery (PAG520A)
http://cars.bilia.se/Shop/ProduktKort.asp?ProduktId=984
in my 1993 945 in 1999 with a bigger Volvo original (PAG600A)
http://cars.bilia.se/Shop/ProduktKort.asp?ProduktId=1361
Not due to age but because my gasoline heater uses a lot of current and I needed the grater capacity. I've had the car since 1996.
This battery was replaced last winter, this time due to aging.
Now I've plugged in an Exide 105 Ah monster battery
http://www.exide.nu/sidor/personbil-van/xtra.html
I don't know how to compare 600A (CCA?) for the Volvo battery with 105Ah (capacity) for the Exide, but it sure is bigger. I had to cut the plastic tray to make room. The Exide is maintenance free so I don't have to worry about checking the level. Time will tell if it was a good buy.

Hth
mila

The "Volvo" brand batteries sold in the US are supplied to the dealers by Interstate. Have been for about a year. They have a volvo label, but are made here. You could probably save by buying directly from interstate.